After becoming the first Premier League team in history to log a summer transfer window without signing a single player, Spurs has seen its plans for moving into the new stadium backlogged by construction delays, throwing the team into a period of slight uncertainty. Still, that pales in comparison to the on-field uncertainty their opponents Fulham currently face.

The Whites became the first newly promoted Premier League team to spend over $100 million in a transfer window, but the squad is still working itself out after so many changes. Top signing Jean-Michael Seri looked fantastic in last week’s season-opening loss to Crystal Palace, but defensive midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa has yet to make his team debut after signing on Deadline Day. In addition, center-backs Tim Ream and newly acquired Alfie Mawson are both injured and yet to return, leaving Calum Chambers and Maxim Le Marchand the only ones fit to start.

The Fulham goalkeeping situation is seriously in flux as well. Last year’s starter Marcus Bettinelli saw himself third-string in the season-opener, left out of the squad completely. Many speculated he was injured, but he earned the ire of manager Slavisa Jokanovic by publicly declaring himself fit. Starter Fabri, another new acquisition from Besiktas, was miserable on his debut, and it’s possible Sevilla loanee Sergio Rico could get his chance in net.

With Spurs spending nary a penny this summer, one thing in their favor is cohesion. They are missing Erik Lamela and Harry Winks with injury, while Heung-Min Son plays internationally with South Korea, but otherwise the main men are ready to go after their season-opening win over Newcastle last weekend. The only lineup changes from that match would be tactical, with Lucas Moura likely to retain his place in Son’s absence, while Kyle Walker-Peters could get a shot at right-back after Serge Aurier‘s so-so performance.

What they’re saying

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic on his goalkeepers: “I have three goalkeepers and I will choose only one – one of them will be in the stand, one will be on the bench and one will be in the goal. It’s the same situation, we created the competition and it’s the same situation for Bettinelli and other keepers as it is for other parts of the squad. When you ask me why Bettinelli is not in the goal, I am talking about we make some investment for another player, and this is a player who has experience in higher level and has some experience in the Champions League and Europa League. For another side, the [injury] situation with Marcus Bettinelli during the pre-season forced us to bring in another keeper too, and this other keeper is a quality keeper who has similar experience to be a Champions League keeper and has won some European trophies. This is a fantastic situation for a head coach like me, the three keepers are in the same situation and they must fight for the position and in my hands is the decision what I believe is best for my team.”

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino on stadium delay: “Three stadiums in one season would be too much, we might have to find a way to play at Wembley, if that’s the day after the NFL, maybe the pitch is not in the best condition but we have to find a way. We need to be all together. Our fans understand it’s a massive, huge project that will be forever for them and for the club and it’s not possible for different things that happen, it’s not in our hands. The most import thing is to be positive. I understand the problems with tickets and money and I feel sorry for them. I want to say sorry, but we will try to reward them by winning games.”

Prediction

Fulham has a fantastic squad after an exciting summer, but with injuries and new signings not fully fit, the squad is severely weakened. In addition, the Fulham style under Jokanovic does not suit itself to a match against a pressing team such as Tottenham. This match could swing quickly towards the home side with an early goal, and a rout would be understandable in this situation despite the optimism surrounding Fulham’s overall prospects this coming season. Spurs will win 3-0, maybe even deserving of a more flattering scoreline.

“The main thing I think about is how we can make the next step with the players we had last season,” Klopp told reporters in Hong Kong earlier this week. “The good news is that actually we didn’t lose – and we will not lose – a player we want to keep this summer. That’s the best news actually and then we’ll see who can bring into the squad.”

Coutinho signed for Liverpool in 2013 but had a breakout year in 2015-2016, earning the PFA Young Player of the Year. Last year Coutinho became an even more consistent goal-scorer and playmaker, scoring 13 goals with seven assists in 34 Premier League appearances.

Keeping Coutinho is of supreme importance for Liverpool, which is back in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2014-2015 season.

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Arsene Wenger was clearly dismayed following his side’s 3-4 defeat against Liverpool, and he placed the blame firmly on the goal that Philippe Coutinho scored on the stroke of halftime, one that struck down Arsenal’s lead and completely nullified their solid first 45 minutes.

“Of course we are disappointed,” Wenger said during his post-game press conference, “because I think that there was the contrast between the two halves and that stemmed from many reason, but one of them is psychologically just to be back to 1-1 at halftime.”

With the Gunners struggling for fitness and a number of injuries giving Wenger a selection headache, the Frenchman also blamed his squad’s overall fitness for the opening defeat.

“We are not ready, physically, we are not ready,” Wenger declared. When it was brought up that Arsenal seems to often struggle out of the gates – they’ve won just one of their last seven Premier League season openers – he continued. “We paid for a lack of experience at the back & the fact some players are not ready physically to compete at this level”

With the club missing Per Mertesacker, Gabriel, and Laurent Koscielny due to injury or fatigue, Arsenal started Calum Chambers and 20-year-old Rob Holding in central defense. Chambers has 36 appearances for the Gunners, but Holding was making his Premier League debut after spending all of last season at Championship side Bolton, where the club was relegated to League One.

Liverpool did not play well across the first 45 minutes, but they have Philippe Coutinho, and with the Brazilian spark plug, the fuse can ignite at any moment.

Coutinho scored a pair and assisted another as Liverpool won a free-flowing game 4-3 at the Emirates. The game swung back and forth, as the Gunners were up 1-0 most of the first half, the Reds scored four goals in a row to take control, and then the home side came just short of completing a remarkable late comeback.

The match began with a cagey nature, with Arsenal holding a fair amount of possession but being pressured by the Jurgen Klopp press. The first chance fell to the Gunners on 15 minutes when a long ball from Monreal was not cleared properly by Alberto Moreno, who instead headed directly into the path of Aaron Ramsey. The Reds defender made up for his mistake with a pinpoint tackle to see out the chance.

Liverpool pressed well, but their attack seemed disjointed, finding themselves in offside positions or misplaced passes that killed chances early. The Reds had their first opportunity on 23 minutes, when Georgino Wijnaldum won the ball back from Monreal, leading Jordan Henderson to deliver a ball in to a free Roberto Firmino, but Hector Bellerin just put Firmino under enough pressure to see him bungle the chance.

Arsenal should have gone in front when given a penalty in the 29th minute. Moreno needlessly dropped Theo Walcott at the edge of the area, and the referee pointed directly to the spot. Simon Mignolet produced a fantastic save on the penalty, as Walcott looked to poke it into the low corner. Walcott would atone minutes later, however, as he’d get behind Moreno. Alex Iwobi found him on the right, and the English international found the far corner for a 1-0 Arsenal lead.

Liverpool’s physical nature of play began to build up the card count, with Moreno earning himself a yellow card for his foul on Walcott, and both Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren picked up first-half cautions. The Reds appeared second-best for much of the first half, but Philippe Coutinho single-handedly brought them back level on the stroke of halftime.

Into first-half injury time, Coutinho won a questionable free-kick, and took the strike from well outside the area, and from at least 30 yards out he deposited an absolutely outrageous strike into the top corner past a helpless Petr Cech. The goal is the second straight on opening day for Coutinho, having scored the 1-0 winner against Stoke City last season.

Following the break, Liverpool looked much more cohesive, and they were duly rewarded. Coutinho cut into the left edge of the box and plucked a beautiful flick to a waiting Adam Lallana on the far side. The England international chested it down and finished cooly from a tight angle for a 2-1 lead just four minutes after the break.

Just minutes after that, Coutinho would get his second goal and put the Reds 3-1 up as Nathaniel Clyne whipped in a pacey cross and the Brazilian easily touched home from point-blank range. Arsenal looked shell-shocked, and it would get worse. Sadio Mane ran straight around Calum Chambers and ripped an off-balance scorcher into the top corner for a 4-1 Liverpool lead.

The Reds weren’t able to celebrate their stunning scoreline for long, as the Gunners picked up a lifeline in what turned into a goal fest. Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored just 56 seconds after Mane’s goal, emulating his predecessor by flicking the ball past Nathaniel Clyne and beating Simon Mignolet at his near post.

Coutinho was removed on 70 minutes after cramping up suddenly on a one-on-two breakaway, replaced by Emre Can. Arsenal brought on debutant Granit Xhaka to shore up the midfield, and the Gunners would grab a lifeline. With 15 minutes remaining, a beautiful curling free-kick from substitute Santi Cazorla glanced off the head of a rising Chambers in the box, and the Gunners were suddenly back within one.

The home side poured numbers and pressure forward, but it wasn’t enough as the Gunners were downed by Liverpool at home for just the second time in their last 21 meetings.

“I’m always cautious. It will be at least two months but I don’t want to speculate more than that,” said Wenger when asked about Coquelin. “I must say we have been hit very hard in November. We have lost a few players.”

Along with Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny, Coquelin is one of those players who has been contributing positively in the defense, attack and possession parts of Wenger’s game plan.

In the immediate future, Arsenal has Norwich City and Sunderland in its next two Premier League games, but also a pair of UEFA Champions League matches in the next two weeks — Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos — that will determine its group stage fate.

A huge loss, to be sure. How badly do you think this stings the Gunners hopes in England and the UCL?